Plenty has been eulogised about Liverpool's star studded and goal-happy strikers but it's the defence that have cost the Reds the title .

Brendan Rodgers' gung-ho team have scored 101 league goals, more than nine out of the last 10 Premier League champions and in any other season that might be enough to clinch the title.

But a generous Reds defence have shipped a massive 50 domestic goals - more than any of the Premier League winners from the previous 10 years.

Last Monday they threw away a three goal lead by letting in a late treble to Tony Pulis' goal-shy Crystal Palace . The Eagles have scored the third lowest amount of goals in the top flight this season.

Even when Manchester United lumbered their way to the title last year they only let in 43.